How to Become a Forest Manager

How to Become a Forest Manager: Forester Career Guide

If you want to become a forest manager or a forester, you will need the right education, accreditation, skill set and attitude. A career as a forest manager can be a highly rewarding one if you are interested in nature and the well being of the environment.

If you’re interested in a career as a forest manager or a forester but don’t know where to start, this forest manager career guide will teach you just about everything you need to get started.

Education Needed to Become a Forest Manager

Most employers require candidates who are hoping to become a forest manager to have earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Forestry or Botany, with preference typically given to those with a Forestry degree. Computer skills are also considered a valuable asset, particularly familiarity with GIS and GPS systems.

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Forest Manager (Forester) Job Description

Forest managers (also known as Foresters) are responsible for planning, directing and administering programs and initiatives related to managing forested lands. Forest managers plan and oversee the implementation of such forestry management techniques as prescribed burning, thinning, harvesting and planting in order to maintain or improve the health and productivity of a forest.

Accreditation for Forest Managers

To become a forest manager in the United States or Canada you typically need to be accredited by a state/provincial or federal accreditation board. Many states and provinces sponsor some type of credentialing process for foresters and licensing laws.

Both licensing and registration requirements usually require a 4-year degree in forestry and several years of forestry work experience. Candidates typically must also successfully pass an accreditation exam in order to become licensed and registered.

Characteristics of Successful Forest Managers

Even with the right education and skill set, becoming a successful forest manager is not guaranteed. If you’re reading the list of personality and intellectual traits listed below, and you recognize many of the traits in yourself, you may be well suited for a career as a forest manager.

• Must have a keen interest in all aspects of nature

• Must be comfortable working both indoors and outdoors

• Must have a concern for the well being of the environment

• Excellent organization and communication skills

• Enjoy working and liaising with other forestry professionals

• Must be able to delegate and direct the work of others

• Must be able to oversee multiple projects simultaneously

Forest Manager (Forester) Salary

It's difficult to determine how much Forest Managers make, as it is very difficult to acquire accurate information regarding the salary levels of these professionals, the U.S Labor and Statistics reports that the median salary for Conservation Scientists and Foresters, who typically perform duties very similar to those of Forest Managers, was $54,540 USD per year.

In Canada, the numbers are a little different. According to the 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Forestry Professionals occupational group earned on average from $29.92 to $38.45 an hour. The mean wage for this group was $36.42 an hour.

Please note:Salary levels can vary greatly for forestry manager, depending on the level of education, who the employer is, and the amount of experience of the forest manager.

Career Advancement for Forest Managers

Forest managers with a lot of experience typically leave fieldwork in order to increase their focus on office-based duties, such as working with teams to develop management plans and supervising other foresters.

Foresters who have several years of work experience also may move into related fields such as land use planning, reclamation work, vegetation control, surveying or working in state/provincial/federal parks.

Forestry managers can also purse advanced education in a variety of fields, such as forestry, land use planning, public administration, management and other areas in order to move into other fields, such as research or public policy decision making related to forestry or natural resource management.

How to Get a Job as a Forest Manager

Forestry management positions are very competitive. Typically plenty of industry experience is necessary to become a forest manager; gaining entry-level employment in forestry is a great way to begin gaining this experience.

Even gaining employment in entry-level positions is highly competitive. Having work experience or internship experience may be a pre-requisite for a permanent job in forestry, depending on who the employer is.

Landing an internship opportunity or getting a part-time job with an organization involved in forestry or conservation are great ways to add beef to your resume and stay ahead of the competition. Speak to your school's career services office, as well as your Forestry or Botany professors and other faculty, in order to learn about any available positions.

Who Hires Forest Managers and Foresters?

There are employers representing different sectors of industry that are interested in the specific skill set and knowledge base of forest managers, foresters and similar forestry professionals . Below is an example of the types of employers that hire forestry managers.

Professional Associations for Foresters

Professional associations for Foresters are collections of practitioners, organizations and agencies committed to the support, development and enhancement of careers in the field of forestry and forestry management. The field of forestry has a number of professional associations that support ethics in related professions, report current research findings within the field, and foster partnerships among its members.

Below are some of the numerous benefits to becoming a member of a professional forestry association.

• Demonstrate professional commitments as a forester

• Maintain current awareness of industry developments and trends

• May be able to take professional forestry courses

• May be able to participate in industry research projects and/or policy decisions